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News on covid traceability, U.S., disease control, CCP
News (1) to (10) / Source : Steven Nelson, https://nypost.com/2023/04/17/senate-gop-report-raises-possibility-of-two-covid-lab-leaks/ Image of the Wuhan Institute of Viology : AFP via Getty Images
News (1)
Republican Senate report raises possibility of two lab leaks triggering COVID
Image : Web Screenshot
The COVID-19 (COVID, covid, novel coronavirus pneumonia, Wuhan pneumonia) pandemic may have started with two separate leaks at Chinese labs doing risky “gain of function” research, a Republican senator said Monday.
A report released by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) raises the prospect that millions of lives could have been saved — including those of more than 1 million Americans — if not for a “coverup” by the Chinese government during a theorized initial outbreak.
News (2)
Two lab leaks possibiy in September-October 2019 and July or August 2019
“This report concludes most likely this was two leaks [including] a lab leak in the September-October [2019] timeframe, even as early as July or August,” the medical doctor turned senator told a small group of journalists ahead of the release of the 301-page document.
“We’ve concluded that [China] started vaccine development in November 2019. And then another lab leak seems to be most sensible explanation,” he said. “There are key data points that are being held back that could help us prove that.”
Dr. Robert Kadlec, a cofounder of the Operation Warp Speed program that rapidly developed US COVID-19 vaccines in 2020, drafted the report titled “Muddy Waters: The Origins of COVID-19” with about a dozen Republican aides on the Senate Health Committee and additional outside consultants.
The theory that there were two lab leaks, with the first one’s effect going unrecognized by the global community as the Chinese government raced ahead with early vaccine development, is unproven and Marshall says he welcomes debate and the exploration of other possibilities.
News (3)
The Chinese covid vaccine development would have had to start in November 2019
The theory rests on scientific conjecture about some previously reported details — including an assessment of the amount of work that would have had to predate a Feb. 24, 2020, vaccine patent filed by Dr. Zhou Yusen, a Chinese military scientist who later died under mysterious circumstances. Investigators concluded that the vaccine development would have had to start in November 2019, using Operation Warp Speed’s course as a benchmark.
News (4)
Deaths of Iranian athletes who attended the Wuhan Military Games in October 2019
A pre-November series of additional events adds weight to the theory, Marshall said, including the deaths of 11 Iranian athletes, publicly reported in 2020. Some of the athletes reportedly attended the Olympics-style World Military Games in held Wuhan, China, in October 2019.
There are additional scientific clues, according to the report.
News (5)
Possibility of two spillover events
“Epidemiological and genetic molecular analyses of the early published circulating Wuhan [COVID-19] strains supported the possibility of two spillover events two or more weeks apart,” the report says.
“This assessment was made based on minor genetic differences in early circulating strains suggesting that two lineages of the same virus may have emerged simultaneously and progressed on different paths or sequentially separated by some period of time. One lineage showing more mutations than the other implying it had been circulated longer than the other or had potentially passed through more individuals.”
News (6)
Influenza-like illness suggests community transmission of covid in November 2019
The document goes on: “A recently published study analyzed data from existing WHO global influenza surveillance networks early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Their analysis could identify outliers in influenza-negative influenza-like illness (ILI) that served as potential early indicator of COVID-19 community transmission.”
The report noted “[a] noticeable increase of Wuhan adult ILI cases during week 46 (November 11-17, 2019) corresponded to negative influenza testing that same week. This occurrence is similar to the epidemiological outlier identified in the published study. It occurs approximately 13 weeks before the recorded surge of COVID-19 cases in Wuhan in late January, early February 2020.”
News (7)
The deleted online database would have shown "cousins" of SARS-CoV-2
Further fueling suspicions, the Wuhan Institute of Virology deleted an online database of coronavirus samples on 12 September 2019, which Marshall said likely would have shown “cousins” of COVID-19 if it was indeed from nature.
“There are a lot of events around this timeline, then it gets a little quiet, and then — boom, something else happens,” Marshall said.
However, Marshall concedes there may be alternative explanations for the outbreak, which Chinese authorities first publicly acknowledged on 31 December 2019.
Pressed by The New York Post on whether the vaccine patent could have been quickly filed due to some other reason, the senator said, “I’m inviting that [challenge]. I think that’s the whole purpose of science, to shoot down [competing] theories.”
News (8)
Kadlec's report may lead to a "9/11 Commission-style" investigation of the covid virus origins
Marshall said he hopes the report will build momentum to establish a 9/11 Commission-style investigation of the origins of the virus to understand the reason for the devastating pandemic and to prevent a recurrence.
“I don’t think anyone can conclude that this is a ‘get [Dr. Anthony] Fauci’ paper,” said Marshall, who has clashed with the former top US infectious disease expert at hearings focused on American funding for the Wuhan lab that modified viruses to make them more contagious.
Marshall said that he believes Democratic colleagues are warming to an investigation of the pandemic’s origins and “I’ll be curious as to how the White House responds.”
The White House did not immediately respond to The New York Post’s request for comment.
President Biden on 20 March 2023 signed a bipartisan bill that mandates the declassification of records on the pandemic’s origins, though it is unclear what material will be redacted.
Marshall said the U.S. government has not yet been very forthcoming so far — and that he hopes especially to further investigate the money trail flowing to Wuhan for research that modified coronavirus.
“Every time I pick on China, we should look in the mirror because our own federal government has kept data from us, they wouldn’t show us information. They wouldn’t let us talk to the right people. So much of it is redacted,” said Marshall, who took on leadership of the Health Committee’s GOP inquiry following the retirement in January of former Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC).
News (9)
Fauci and other American scientists pushing the raccoon dog theory said the animals may lead to outbreaks in China outside Wuhan
The senator also ridiculed an effort by what he called the “gain of function mafia” to push a theory that raccoon dogs farmed for their fur caused the pandemic, saying they would have been shipped around China — leading to outbreaks in geographically distinct areas, rather than concentrated in Wuhan, where no animal or animal handler responsible for its origin has been put forward by the Chinese government.
News (10)
EcoHealth Alliance funding Wuhan Institute of Viology experiments that modified three bat coronaviruses distinct from SARS-COV-2
In addition to safety issues reported at Wuhan labs, documents published in late 2021 by The Intercept revealed that EcoHealth Alliance used US grants to fund Wuhan Institute of Virology experiments that modified three bat coronaviruses distinct from COVID-19. The research found the viruses became much more infectious among “humanized” mice when human-type receptors were added to them.
Kadlec, who led the investigation, was assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Department of Health and Human Services from 2017-2021. He previously worked as deputy staff director for the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Timeline of the "lab leak" theory gaining acceptance
The “lab leak” theory has gradually gained acceptance since 2020, when it was derided as a conspiracy theory.
The Wall Street Journal in February revealed that the Energy Department, which operates the US National Laboratories, now believes the pandemic began with a Chinese lab leak.
FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed the same month that the FBI also believes COVID-19 leaked from a lab.
“The FBI has for quite some time now assessed that the origins of the pandemic are most likely a potential lab incident in Wuhan,” Wray said. “Here you are talking about a potential leak from a Chinese government-controlled lab.”
Biden reluctant to answer on the issue of outbreak accountability until the final covid origins report is released
Under political pressure, Biden in May 2021 ordered a US intelligence community assessment of the origins of COVID-19, after previously saying the US would defer to the World Health Organization to get answers.
U.S. spy agencies assessed in August 2021 that it was “plausible” that the virus came either from a lab release in Wuhan or from a natural origin via animal-to-human transmission.
At the time, a written statement attributed to Biden said: “The world deserves answers, and I will not rest until we get them.”
“Responsible nations do not shirk these kinds of responsibilities to the rest of the world,” the statement said. “Pandemics do not respect international borders, and we all must better understand how COVID-19 came to be in order to prevent further pandemics.”
However, Biden, who campaigned heavily in 2020 on mourning pandemic deaths and slamming then-President Donald Trump’s management of the crisis, has hardly mentioned the origins question since then — even walking away from reporters on the White House lawn on 3 March 2023 when asked about holding CCP China accountable for the outbreak.
U.S. Congressman's latest research report: COVID-19 may have originated from "two laboratory leaks"
Reporter : Luo Tingting / Editor : Zhu Xinrui /https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2023/04/19/a103694123.html / Image : A researcher works in the Wuhan Institute of Virology (P4 laboratory) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on 23 February 2017. (Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall released a research report a few days ago, pointing out that the covid pandemic "most likely" originated from "two laboratory leakage".
On 17 April 2023 Senate Republican Senator Roger Marshall told the media before the release of the report, "Covid-19 is likely to have originated from two leaks between September and October 2019, including laboratory leaks, It even happened earlier in July or August."
The 301-page report drew on open source reports, including medical research, scientific journals and numerous Chinese government documents, and was drafted by medical expert Robert Kadlec. He is a biodefense expert who served as assistant secretary of health during the Trump administration.
According to the report, in the autumn of 2019, two laboratory leaks occurred within a few weeks in Wuhan, China. In the months after the initial leak, covid cases spiked in areas around the city of Wuhan. The Wuhan Institute of Virology was established in Wuhan.
"There is strong evidence that Covid-19 originated from an accidental laboratory leak in Wuhan, China," Marshall said.
On 18 April 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a panel hearing on the origin of the novel coronavirus. This is the second hearing held by the new US Congress on the origin of the epidemic.
Brad Wenstrup, chair of the committee's special subcommittee on the coronavirus pandemic, said, "While the exact origin of the virus may not be 100 percent clear, there is growing evidence that indicates research or laboratory relevance."
He pointed to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's fact sheet on 15 January 2021, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence's first assessment of the origin of the novel coronavirus, released on 29 October 2021, as evidence of the possibility of the virus leaking from the laboratory.
"It's clear that China (the Communist Party) doesn't want the world to know the (virus) origin, and that China (the Communist Party) has systematically blocked a transparent and thorough investigation into the origin of the virus," Winstrup said.
Former U.S. Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said at the hearing that the evidence obtained by the U.S. intelligence community is sufficient to support doubts about the laboratory leak.
"If this were a trial, the sheer volume of circumstantial evidence presented by our intelligence services would compel a jury to find a verdict that the Wuhan lab's coronavirus research caused the pandemic," he said.
“The CCP will do everything in its power to cover up the origin of the covid virus, from destroying medical tests, samples, and data, to intimidating and disappearing witnesses and journalists, to lying and coercing global health agencies, and even spreading propaganda about the origin of the virus. Their actions have continued until today," Ratcliffe said.
On 8 March 2023, at the first congressional hearing, former US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Robert Redfield and many other experts revealed new evidence that the novel coronavirus may have originated in a Wuhan laboratory.
Winstrup, chairman of the Special Subcommittee on the COVID-19 Pandemic, also disclosed that before the start of the panel hearing, the CCP Embassy in the United States sent a letter to the committee, expressing its opposition to the US investigation of the origin of the covid virus.
After the hearing, he will reply to the Chinese ambassador to the United States: "These scare tactics will not work, you will not slow down our work, and we will not stop."
On 20 March 2023, U.S. President Biden signed the "COVID-19 Origins Act of 2023" passed by Congress, and stated that the government will declassify and share national intelligence on the origin of the novel coronavirus within 90 days, including the "COVID-19 Origins Act" with the potential connection to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.".
News (12)
23,000 people died in the past four weeks. WHO: Covid epidemic may have more troubles
Editor : He Yating / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2023/04/19/a103694013.html / Image : The logo of the World Health Organization (WHO) stands at the entrance to the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, May 8, 2021. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that although the total number of people infected with covid is declining, millions of people are still infected in the past 4 weeks. Tens of thousands of people died. More trouble could still loom further before the coronavirus enters predictable mode.
On Tuesday (18 April 2023), Mike Ryan, Executive Director of WHO's Health Emergencies Program, made the above remarks at a press conference. He said that in the past 28 days, countries around the world reported more than 3 million new cases of infection to the WHO, and more than 23,000 infected people died.
He emphasized again that SARS-CoV-2 (covid virus, covi, novel coronavirus, CCP virus) will not disappear and covid will continue to exist like the flu and cause severe respiratory diseases in high-risk groups. The covid virus did not move from a pandemic phase to an endemic phase, but rather into a lower level of activity with possible seasonal peaks.
Ryan said that at present, some countries have declared that the covid epidemic no longer constitutes an emergency, while in some countries there are still a large number of high-risk groups who have not been vaccinated against covid. Until more predictable patterns arrive, the road remains rough. "We're not going to turn off the switch on the pandemic," he said.
He expressed the hope that experts will actively provide advice to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the WHO Emergency Committee meeting on how to assess the covid epidemic and whether to continue to determine that the epidemic constitutes a public health emergency of international concern .
By convention, WHO's COVID-19 emergency committee meets every three months, and the next committee meeting is scheduled for early May, when the committee will discuss whether the COVID-19 pandemic still constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) before making a judgment and recommendations to Tedros.
News (13) to (17) / Reporter : Luo Tingting / Editor : Wen Hui / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2023/04/18/a103693407.html
News (13)
Is Xi Jinping afraid the southern theater will cause troubles? Signal to senior generals
Image : Xi Jinping recently inspected the navy in the southern theater, and sent a sensitive signal to the speeches of senior generals. The picture shows the data map of the Chinese Communist Party Navy. (Mark Schiefelbein/AFP via Getty Images)
Xi Jinping recently visited the Navy in the southern theater to inspect the speeches of senior generals, sending out sensitive signals. Analysts believe that Sino-US relations continue to deteriorate, and the CCP’s military and foreign affairs departments are suspected of discord.
News (14)
Opinion: Xi Jinping warns generals not to just think about fighting
On 11 April 2023, Xi Jinping inspected and investigated the Navy in the Southern Theater Command in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, and gave lectures to representatives of naval officers and soldiers. Xi Jinping said that the military should deepen military training and prepare for war, "think and deal with military issues from a political perspective", "firmly and flexibly carry out military struggles", and "strive to maintain the overall stability of the surrounding areas".
Xi Jinping's above-mentioned speech is widely regarded by the outside world as a "challenge" to the United States in accordance with the usual practice. However, some analysts pointed out that Xi Jinping's speech released different signals.
"Ming Pao" published Sun Jiaye's commentary on the 18th, saying that Xi Jinping asked the generals to "think and deal with military issues from a political perspective", which is to warn the generals that they should not just think about fighting, but should think about issues from a diplomatic and overall perspective.
The article stated that the "Southern Theater Navy" is mainly responsible for the defense of the South China Sea, and has the most opportunities to "deal" with neighboring countries and the navies of Western countries such as the United States, Japan, Europe, and Australia. If the generals are not politically minded, they may delay major events. Xi Jinping's request for generals to "conduct military struggles firmly and flexibly, and improve their ability to respond to complex situations in a timely and appropriate manner" has become extremely important.
News (15)
Shen Zhou: Xi Jinping inspected and made demands, exposing the true combat power of the Chinese Communist Navy
Military commentator Shen Zhou wrote an article in The Epoch Times on 13 April 2023, pointing out that Xi Jinping inspected the navy in the southern theater and asked the navy to "promote new equipment and new forces to accelerate the formation of actual combat capabilities", which inadvertently exposed the real combat power of the Chinese Communist Party.
Shen Zhou said that the Chinese Communist Navy has received many new warships in recent years but the warships are called "dumplings" in service, and the navy personnel are constantly expanding but they are all newbies; even the original navy officers and soldiers are not familiar with the new equipment, which is even more difficult. On mastering the tactical warfare of modern destroyers, they do not yet have actual combat capabilities.
On the day when Xi inspected the southern theater, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command issued a news release announcing that the Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) sailed near the Nansha Islands in accordance with international law on 10 April 2023.
Shen Zhou pointed out that the US destroyers have repeatedly entered the "territorial waters" of the 12 nautical miles of the South China Sea islands and reefs claimed by the CCP but the CCP has never dared to fire the first shot.
News (16)
Xi Jinping hints to Biden that CCP has no intention of going to war with the United States
Previously, the media reported that the CCP had already ordered that the first shots should not be fired at the U.S. military. Moreover, the CCP military tried its best to avoid confrontation with the U.S. military, for fear of misfire.
On August 13, 2022, The Wall Street Journal quoted people familiar with the matter as revealing that four days before the U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, Xi Jinping had a phone call with US President Joe Biden, implying that he had no intention of going to war with the US and saying that both sides needed to "maintain peace and security".
According to people familiar with the matter, Xi Jinping made it clear that now is not the time for a full-scale crisis.
After Pelosi left Taiwan, the CCP launched a military exercise around Taiwan in the waters surrounding the Taiwan Strait. But people familiar with Beijing's thinking told Huari that the effect Xi Jinping wants is a controlled response, and he does not want to escalate confrontation with the United States and its allies.
News (17)
Spy balloons expose CCP discord, Xi does not trust the military
In addition, Xi Jinping requires senior naval officers to think about issues from a political, diplomatic, and overall perspective, which means that there may be differences between the military and the foreign affairs department, and the military will not obey.
Recently, leaked documents from the Pentagon of the United States revealed more inside information about the CCP’s spy balloons. The "Washington Post" reported on April 14 that leaked documents showed that there were divisions at the top of the CCP, and some government departments were caught off guard by the CCP spy balloon invasion of US airspace in February.
The document evaluates that this incident may only be known to a small number of people within the CCP military, and the military lacks "high-level strong" supervision of the spy balloon program. sensation.
A senior Pentagon official revealed on 20 February 20 that Xi Jinping may not have known about the Chinese spy balloon flying over the United States, leading to a split between civilian and military officials within the top ranks.
Colin H. Carr, undersecretary of defense for policy, told the New York Times that Xi Jinping may have known about the overall plan for the spy balloon, but not about the spy balloon in question until it floated over the United States, triggering a extensive attention.
"I suspect he asked the military about it, and the military started backing down and making excuses," Carr said. "There's a huge military-political divide in the CCP system, and Xi Jinping doesn't trust his military. He doesn't."
After Xi Jinping successfully re-elected at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, he tried to improve relations with the United States. However, on the eve of US Secretary of State Blinken's visit to China, the incident of the CCP's spy balloon intrusion into US airspace was exposed, exacerbating the deterioration of Sino-U.S. relations, and Blinken canceled his visit to China.
News (18)
If China launches a war to hurt Taiwan, Lai Ching-te: How to repay Taiwanese businessmen for their contributions to China?
Reporter : Chen Yufu / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4275687 / Vice President Lai Qingde attended the "3rd Certification Ceremony of the Greater Taipei Branch of the Taiwan International Professional Women's Association" and delivered a speech on stage. (Photo by reporter Tian Yuhua)
The Greater Taipei Branch of the Taiwan International Professional Women's Association held a charter and candlelight evening party in Dazhidianhua tonight. I understand that launching a war can directly cause harm to Taiwan, but the resulting global disaster may be very large. If China launches a war against Taiwan today, how will it repay the contributions of Taiwanese businessmen to Chinese society in the past 20 to 30 years?
Lai Ching-te pointed out that he was nominated by the Democratic Progressive Party to run for the 2024 President on 12 April 2023. He hopes to get everyone's support and have the opportunity to lead a team to promote national construction, develop the economy, take care of the people, solve problems such as black gold gun poison, and establish a stable, harmonious, and public welfare society that allows young people to see hope, middle-aged people can realize their dreams, the elderly can be happy, and gender equality can be further implemented. He also hopes that Taiwanese can properly face climate change and digital transformation, and make Taiwanese society more prosperous. sequence, more resilience.
Lai Ching-te mentions that of course Taiwan is also facing the threat of totalitarianism. In the past one or two years, China has been attacking and intimidating with force. It hopes to cooperate with everyone to protect Taiwan and promote Taiwan's democracy, prosperity and peace. .
Lai Ching-te believes that with the joint efforts of everyone in the past ten years, Taiwan's economy still needs to continue to improve Taiwan's investment environment. It is also necessary to join the regional economy and cooperate with countries with similar ideas so that Taiwan's industries can integrate into the new industrial chain. There is a way for Taiwanese to base themselves on Taiwan and look at the world, so that economic development can continue to grow.
Lai Ching-te emphasized that in the past, the DPP combined with Taiwan society and sacrificed for democracy, broke the party ban, newspaper ban, and abolished 100 articles of the criminal law, and strived for 100% democracy. to last. In other words, in the face of the threat of totalitarianism, what we have to do is to choose between democracy and autocracy. He hopes that everyone can unite and cooperate, choose democracy, and let Taiwan walk on the road of democracy.
Only strength can bring peace, and national defense must be strengthened
Lai Ching-te said that only strength can bring peace, and national defense must be strengthened. President Tsai Ing-wen also mentioned that "there is peace only when there is national defense." He hopes that the promotion will continue in the future, whether it is national defense independence or foreign purchases, it must continue. Peace is priceless, and there are no winners in war. He hopes that China can deeply understand that although it can directly cause damage to Taiwan by launching a war, the global disaster it will cause may be very large. If China launches a war against Taiwan today, how will it repay the past 30 years of the contribution of the vast number of Taiwanese businessmen to Chinese society.
Lai Ching-te said that when he was the mayor of Tainan, he was very grateful to Taiwanese businessmen for investing. Over the past 20 or 30 years, Taiwanese businessmen have been the largest investors in China, with a value of more than 200 billion US dollars. One or two million people have been in China for decades. Not only talents enter, but also capital and technology enter. He hopes China can understand this. In the future, if Taiwan wants to enhance its national defense capabilities and connect with its allies, it must conduct cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation to enhance mutual understanding, understanding, reconciliation, and understanding. This is especially important to use this opportunity to report to everyone.
News (19)
Received the new chairman of AIT, Lai Ching-te: Taiwan will stick to democracy and maintain regional peace
Reporter : Chen Yun / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4275755 / Image : When Vice President Lai Ching-te received American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) President Laura Rosenberger on 19 April 2023, he emphasized that Taiwan is at a key position in the first island chain and will definitely stick to the democratic camp. (Provided by the Presidential Palace)
When Vice President Lai Chiing-te met with American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) President Laura Rosenberger on 19 April 2023, he emphasized that Taiwan is at a key position in the first island chain and will definitely stick to the democratic camp. Taiwan will continue to work with peace-loving democratic allies to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Rosenberger responded that Taiwan is a precious friend and a very important trading partner of the United States.
Lai Ching-te first congratulated Rosenberger for taking over as the chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan, and thanked her for her warm welcome when President Tsai was in the United States, and she came to Taiwan for a long-distance visit. He said that with Chairperson Rosenberger's enthusiastic and active attitude, he believes that AIT will definitely bring Taiwan-US relations to a higher level under her leadership in the future.
Lai Ching-te said that in the past few years, the whole world has worked together to fight the COVID-19 epidemic, but we have seen the rise of totalitarian countries in an attempt to undermine the rules-based international order and seek their own interests. In addition to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, CCP China is also destabilizing the Indo-Pacific.
He emphasized that Taiwan is in a key position in the first island chain and will definitely stick to the democratic camp. He also hopes to cooperate with peace-loving democratic allies to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Faced with China's use of military exercises to draw a new red line, attempt to establish a new normal, and threaten the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan hopes to cooperate with the AIT led by Rosenberger to face the new phenomenon and challenges seriously.
Lai Ching-te believes that security and economy cannot be separated. In addition to cooperating on security issues, economic cooperation should also be strengthened. Under the current international situation, it is very important to establish a new, safe and trustworthy global supply chain. Taiwan and the United States are very important financial partners. He is glad to see that the "Taiwan-US 21st Century Trade Initiative" has completed the first round of negotiations this year. He looks forward to smooth progress in the future and the establishment of substantive bilateral trade or investment agreements to strengthen the bilateral economic and trade security strategies .
Rosenberger said that this is her first visit to Taiwan since 2017 and her first visit as AIT chairperson. It is a great honour to assist President Tsai in her smooth transit in the United States. During her visit to Taiwan, she looks forward to meeting various ministries, business circles, civil society and political leaders. In addition to sharing Washington's views, she also understands Taiwan's views.
Rosenberger pointed out that Taiwan is a precious friend. As Vice President Lai said, it is also a very important trading partner of the United States, and it is also crucial to regional peace and stability. When she met with Taiwanese-Americans in New York and Los Angeles, she also mentioned that Taiwan is a force for good in the world.
Rosenberger said that she looks forward to continuing the foundation laid in the past, continuing to deepen and expand the Taiwan-US partnership, as well as more dialogues and exchanges.
The visiting guests included Sandra Oudkirk, director of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan, accompanied by Vice Foreign Minister Li Chun, and Xu Sijian, deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council.
News (20)
AIT Chairman Rosenberg: There are many ways to expand and deepen U.S.-Taiwan cooperation
Reporter : Su Yongyao / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4275381 / Image : President Tsai Ing-wen met with visiting American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) President Rosenberger and others this afternoon. (Extracted from the video of the Presidential Palace)
President Tsai Ing-wen met with the visiting American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) President Laura Rosenberger this afternoon. The President expressed hope that through various Taiwan-US dialogue mechanisms in the future, including the Taiwan-US 21st Century Trade Initiative etc. to deepen bilateral relations. Rosenberger said that Taiwan is a precious friend of the United States and an important trading partner. It plays a key role in maintaining peace and stability. There are many ways to expand and deepen the cooperation between the United States and Taiwan. She very much looks forward to "continuing to work with President Tsai and his team members in the future." ﹑
Rosenberger visits Taiwan from 18 to 23 April. During the meeting, Tsai Ing-wen said that she visited the United States two weeks ago and was warmly received. She expressed her special thanks to the U.S. government for its assistance and Rosenberger's time-saving company for the whole journey.
Tsai Ing-wen detailed that Rosenberger used to serve as a senior director of the National Security Council of the United States and maintained close contact with our representative office in the United States. During his tenure at the National Security Council, he assisted in promoting the United States to donate 4 million doses of vaccines to Taiwan, and facilitated Taiwan’s participation in the Democracy Summit. These have brought Taiwan and the United States closer cooperation and expanded Taiwan’s international space. It is believed that with nearly two decades of rich experience in Indo-Pacific affairs, Rosenberger will be able to inject more vitality into Taiwan-US relations, strengthen the Taiwan-US partnership, and actively promote freedom and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region after taking over as the chairman of AIT.
Regarding the just-concluded visit itinerary, Tsai Ing-wen concluded that this trip allowed the international community to better understand Taiwan's determination to safeguard democracy, and gained support from more democratic partners. In particular, the United States is a solid partner that shares the values of democracy and freedom with Taiwan. After taking office, the Biden-Harris administration reaffirmed the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Guarantees, and announced nine arms sales to Taiwan to strengthen self-defense and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. She wants to represent Taiwan People, express Taiwanese's sincere thanks.
The president also said that Taiwan and the United States also have close cooperation in the field of economics, culture and education. Rosenberger will also attend the American Chamber of Commerce's New Year's Appreciation Dinner this time, which shows that the U.S. government attaches great importance to deepening Taiwan-U.S. economic and trade relations. Taiwan will also create a more friendly investment environment and welcome American companies to invest in Taiwan. She also hopes to deepen bilateral relations through Taiwan-US dialogue mechanisms, including the Taiwan-US 21st Century Trade Initiative. And negotiating and signing an agreement to avoid double taxation will provide more niches and create more prosperity for the companies of both parties.
Rosenberger went on to deliver a speech saying that she was very honoured to accompany President Tsai throughout the transit of the United States, and she started her full-day trip in Taiwan from today, and she also felt a warm welcome. This is her first visit to Taiwan since 2017, and also her first visit to Taiwan as the chairman of AIT. The American Institute in Taiwan is responsible for unofficial relations between Taiwan and the United States, and dialogue with the president is a very important task for her. This visit to Taiwan will also meet members of the Taiwan government team, civil society and political parties, and learn about the flourishing Taiwanese society.
Rosenberger emphasized that Taiwan is a precious friend of the United States and an important trading partner, playing a key role in maintaining peace and stability. There are many ways for US-Taiwan cooperation to expand and deepen, and to deepen mutual relations. She is also very much looking forward to it. As she said at the overseas Chinese dinner where President Tsai was in the United States, Taiwan is a force for good in the world, and she looks forward to continuing to cooperate with President Tsai and his team members in the future.
Image : When President Tsai Ing-wen's special plane arrived in New York, Rosenberger, the new AIT chairman, also boarded the plane with Xiao Meiqin, the representative to the United States. (Provided by Taipei Photojournalist Association)
News (21)
Ko Wen-je met with Rosenberger and called on the United States to help Taiwan join regional economic organizations
Reporter : Huang Jingyu / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4274873 / Image : On 13 April 2023, Ko Wen-je, chairman of the People's Party (PP), secretly flew to the headquarters of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) in Washington DC to meet with AIT chairman Rosenberger. (Provided by the PP)
On 13 April 2023, Chairman of the People's Party Ko Wen-je secretly flew to the headquarters of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) in Washington DC to have talks with AIT Chairperson Rosenberger. In a joint interview with the media in the evening of 18 April, Eastern Time, Ko Wen-je said that the itinerary was arranged by AIT. This meeting mainly expressed to the US side that in addition to regional organizations related to national security, the U.S. should also help Taiwan join regional economic organizations to avoid Taiwan putting all its eggs in one basket.
Ko Wen-je said that he explained to Rosenberger during the meeting that although Taiwan's ICT industry accounts for more than 35% of exports and even more than 25% of Taiwan's GDP, it is tantamount to putting all eggs in the same basket. An important reason behind this is that Taiwan has not participated in regional economic organizations. At present, in the world, Taiwan's ICT products are exempted from taxes, but others are taxed, making it difficult for Taiwan's other industries to compete internationally.
Ko Wen-je revealed that he told the United States that if the United States wants Taiwan to join regional organizations on national security issues, it should help Taiwan join regional economic organizations to prevent Taiwan from putting all industries in the same basket. For average development, joining a regional economic organization is a must.
The PP stated that Ko Wenzhe also talked with Rosenberger about his observation of the current situation on both sides of the strait during the meeting.
News (22)
Ko Wen-je visits U.S. Representative Wenstrup and meets staff of the Ad Hoc Committee on U.S.-China Strategic Competition
Reporter : Huang Jingyu / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4275537 / Image : The Democratic Party Chairman Ko Wen-je visited the U.S. Congress on the 18th Eastern Time and met with Republican Congressman Brad Wenstrup. (Provided by the People's Party)
The Chairman of the PP, Ko Wen-je, came to the US Congress on the 18th Eastern Time and called on Republican Congressman Brad Wenstrup. Ko said in a joint visit after the meeting that in addition to meeting with e he also had a conversation with the staff of the "U.S.-China Strategic Competition Ad Hoc Committee". During the meeting, he expressed that if Taiwan cannot join a regional economic organization, not only will the economy be out of balance, It will be sucked into the Chinese Communist economic system.
Ko Wen-je revealed that the staff of the US-China Strategic Competition Ad Hoc Committee stated that they currently have no clear plan, and will first investigate the ins and outs of Wuhan pneumonia (covid, Covid-19, COVID, COVID-19, novel coronavirus pneumonia), and complain that the virus actually flows out of China. Ko Wen-je replied, "Don't worry, the virus will still come out of China next time," because the origin of everything from SARS to Wuhan pneumonia is China.
Ko Wen-je said that he emphasized in the talks that in addition to allowing Taiwan to join regional defense and security organizations, it is more important for the United States to allow Taiwan to join economic organizations. If the problem of Taiwan’s inability to join regional economic organizations is not resolved, not only will Taiwan’s economy be out of balance. , will be sucked into the Chinese economic system.
Legislator Wu Xinying who accompanied the meeting added that it is currently impossible for the United States to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Taiwan, so they first discussed whether they can start from the first level, avoiding double taxation, and then go to the second level, Taiwan and the United States in the 21st century. The trade initiative is finally the third layer of the Indo-Pacific economic structure, and the step-by-step negotiation of the trade agreement is the only way to substantively cooperate with the United States.
Regarding the U.S. views on the PP, Ko Wen-je also admitted that the U.S. is still not aware of Taiwan’s People’s Party, so the mission of coming to the U.S. this time is to “know America”, “know Taiwan from the perspective of the United States”, and “let the United States know me”. 3 items; As for the views of US politicians on Ko Wen-je's presidential election, Ko said that of course foreign politicians must be very polite and say congratulations, but they do not know much about them yet. Observation of current conditions is on the shore.
News (23)
Hou You-yi leads a delegation to visit Singapore and he advocates Taiwan should play a role in regional stability
Reporter : Lai Xiaotong / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4274842 / Image : New Taipei Mayor Hou You-yi will visit Singapore today. Hou said that Taiwan has geopolitical relations, and in the process of globalization, it must have the confidence to play an important role in stabilizing regional development. (Photo by reporter Lai Xiaotong)
New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi is leading a delegation to visit Singapore in the afternoon of 19 April 2023 for 4 days and 3 nights of international municipal exchanges. The outside world is concerned about whether he will discuss Taiwan's international situation and cross-strait issues. Hou said that Taiwan has geopolitical relations, and in the process of globalization, it must have the confidence to play an important role in stabilizing regional development.
Hou said in an interview after the municipal meeting this morning that New Taipei City is an international metropolis. After the epidemic, economic development must be in line with international standards, and we must learn from each other and visit each other. Singapore's national governance and economic and industrial development can be seen all over the world. Whether it is financial technology, industry, talent cultivation or youth entrepreneurship, etc., it is worth learning from. New Taipei City can interact with Singapore under the sustainable development of a big city and a multi-ethnic environment, so that Singapore can learn more about New Taipei City and the world. Learn more about Taiwan, "We are very confident going out."
Hou You-yi pointed out that the New Taipei City Government has long-term mutual visits and exchanges with Singapore’s public and private sectors. Through this visit, it will also be concerned about the strategic layout of Singaporeans’ entrepreneurship, job opportunities, emerging technologies, youth entrepreneurship, cultural and creative industries, etc. , He thanked Singapore for the proper arrangements, and the four "female power" chiefs will make a good connection, and hope to work hard and cooperate together to demonstrate the resilience of New Taipei City's internationalization.
The media asked Hou, "Did you make any remarks on Taiwan's international situation and cross-strait discussions during this trip?" Hou Youyi said, "Everyone is well aware of the international situation in Taiwan. With geopolitical relations, we must also play a role in the stability of the Taiwan Strait region. These stability concerns the key positions in the East Asian region and even the Indo-Pacific connection. We clearly understand where we are; Singapore, on the other hand, is very confident in its national development and is moving forward with self-reliance and self-improvement. We would like to take this opportunity to meet and have a chat. I hope that in the process of globalization, Taiwan will have the confidence to integrate with the international community and play an important role in stabilizing regional development."
News (24)
Terry Gou strongly beats the "Positive Blue Army", saying that the polls have risen. Hou You-yi: Patriotism is the duty of citizens
The founder of Hon Hai Group, Terry Gou, is fighting for the KMT's presidential nomination. In order to emphasize his status as a "true blue army", Guo sang the national anthem and hung the national flag at a press conference a few days ago, claiming that the polls have risen. Hou Youyi, the mayor of New Taipei City, who is regarded as the strongest hen in the blue camp, said today that patriotism is the duty of every citizen, and he hopes to protect the Republic of China together.
The media asked Hou, "If Terry Gou is strong against the "Positive Blue Army", is he worried that the polls will be overtaken?"
Hou You-yi said in an interview after the municipal meeting today that he was born in a military and police academy. In the early days, he sang the national anthem, saluted the national flag, and loved the country Republic of China. "Let's work together to love the country, protect the Republic of China, and love all the people in the land of Taiwan. This is what we should do."
Regarding Terry Gou's statement that the election of the president should discuss political opinions, it is considered to be "calling for battle" with a strong meaning. Hou Youyi said that there are many problems in Taiwan that need to be solved urgently. Everyone goes to various places to understand the suffering of the people, propose solutions, care about the difficulties encountered by the citizens and Taiwan, and unite everyone to face them together so that the people can live and work in peace.
In addition, some Han fans went to the Kuomintang Central Committee recently to make a petition, hoping to recruit former Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu to run for president. Hou Youyi responded that Han Guoyu is his old friend and a very important leader, and everyone will unite to make this land a common good.
News (25)
Led a delegation to visit Singapore, Hou You-yi: Let the Republic of China take off again
Reporters : Yao Jiexiu, Chen Yun / https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4275503, https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/4274916/ Image : New Taipei Mayor Hou Youyi (left) led a delegation to visit Singapore. Before the trip, he said at the airport, "To make the Republic of China take off again, start from New Taipei City." (Photographed by reporter Yao Jiexiu)
New Taipei Mayor Hou You-yi leads a delegation to visit Singapore from 19 April 2023. Before the trip, he was interviewed at the airport and said that although this visit is city diplomacy, it is important for everyone to play the role of the Republic of China because of the efforts of New Taipei City's role to let the world see Taiwan, "To make the Republic of China take off again, start from New Taipei City."
Hou You-yi and his team have gone to Singapore for a 4-day and 3-night municipal international exchange, and will discuss with local youth on topics such as overseas entrepreneurship and talent cultivation.
Hou You-yi said at Taoyuan airport that Taiwan is facing great challenges in the post-epidemic economy, industry, and even the international situation. New Taipei City is the largest city in Taiwan. Of course, it is impossible to stay outside the world. More conditions must be created. He said, "We must go out, let Taiwan be seen, and let people pay attention to the Republic of China."
He said that the country is now facing external situations and internal challenges. Everyone and every city must play the role of international diplomacy, so that multilateral and friendly relations can make the Republic of China visible.
Hou You-yi mentioned that although the city's diplomacy is the main focus this time, it is really necessary for everyone to play a better and key role in the Republic of China because of the efforts of New Taipei City. "This is our responsibility and obligation. We will not only go out, but also The most important thing is to let the Republic of China take off again, starting from New Taipei City” and will continue to work hard.
He said that New Taipei City has had close contacts with Singapore for a long time, and has long-term cooperation in terms of urban experience exchange and urban governance; the Republic of China and Singapore have many similarities, and the same situation exists in many situations at home and abroad. There are many places to reflect and learn from.
Hou You-yi finally pointed out that the most important thing about this visit is to deepen relations, create dialogues, create a new situation, and make New Taipei City take the interests of the people of the country as the greatest priority. Big countries also have a high degree of influence. In terms of economic and industrial strength, they have also been built as a fortress of security, so that the world cannot ignore Singapore's international status. These are places that Taiwan can learn from.
Image : New Taipei Mayor Hou Youyi led a delegation to visit Singapore. (Photographed by reporter Yao Jiexiu)
Reactions from DPP on Hou You-yi's visit to Singapore
New Taipei City Mayor Hou Youyi was exposed in 2014 for asking media person Luo Youzhi to change constituencies at a price of NT$5 million. DPP spokesperson Zhang Zhihao, New Taipei City Party Committee Chairman He Bowen, New Taipei City Councilor Yan Weici once again held a press conference on 19 April, scolding Hou for not daring to respond directly to social doubts.
Zhang Zhihao criticized that in the face of continuous doubts from the outside world, Hou Youyi actually responded with "he has been in public office for more than 40 years with a clean, frank and open mind, and is not afraid of any smear". Issued a press release stating that "the mayor represents the New Taipei City Government, slandering the mayor's innocence is slandering the reputation of the New Taipei City Government" and other words, linking the mayor's innocence with the reputation of the city government and citizens is simply slandering civil servants and citizens. When the government is competing for the general manager, don't use "municipal investigation" as a tool to make up credits for senior positions.
He Bowen said that he went to the New Taipei District Prosecutor's Office to report Hou You-yi's "5 million dumpling soup" incident in violation of the election strike law. The party is vicious and smeared. He questioned, "May I ask the chairman of the Kuomintang, Zhu Lilun and Hou You-yi, to agree with this method?" He emphasized that the Kuomintang should explain the division of labor between Zhu and Hou in the 2014 election, and also ask Hou to make a clean report and not to dodge or hide abroad.
Yan Weici pointed out that according to the official documents and dialogue records replied by the New Taipei City Government, the trip to Singapore had not been planned before, and the trip was rushed. Facing the accusations and doubts from the outside world, Hou not only evaded arrogantly, answered irrelevant questions, and even blatantly lied that the trip had been planned long ago, in order to avoid controversy. Is it true that the Hou camp's starting move for the election of the president is a short-term trip? Urban diplomacy should not be a trifling matter!
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The latest survey reveals that only 13% of Hou You-yi's "positive volume" remains
Updates
Hou Youyi delegation arrive in Singapore and will visit green buildings and innovation bases
Image : TVBS / Hou Youyi led a delegation to visit Singapore and will visit green buildings and start-up bases
Figure / TVBS
Hou You-yi, Mayor of New Taipei, led a delegation to visit Singapore and has arrived at Changi Airport. During the visit, the delegation will conduct international municipal exchanges, visit green sustainable buildings, market transformation, and hold discussions with local youth on topics such as overseas entrepreneurship and talent cultivation. .
Hou You-yi led a delegation to visit Singapore from Taoyuan International Airport. It will focus on urban economic and cultural development, innovation and technology industries, youth entrepreneurship, promotion of SDGs (sustainable development goals), post-epidemic economic development, gender equality and people's livelihood issues, etc. They will visit Singapore's public and private sectors, including Nanyang Technological University, and hold discussions with local youth on topics such as overseas entrepreneurship and talent cultivation.
According to the itinerary announced by the New Taipei City Government, Hou You-yi will visit the green sustainable buildings at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay in Singapore at noon of 20 April 2023. In the afternoon, he is expected to visit NTUitive, a new innovation base of Nanyang Technological University. In the evening, he will go to Newton Food Center (Newton Food Center) to visit the Market Makeover.
Newton Food Centre is one of the well-known hawker centers in Singapore. After being closed for renovation for 3 months, it reopened in February 2023.
Hawker centers (or cooked food centres) can be described as gathering places for common people in Singapore to eat food, including Chinese, Malay, and Indian dishes, reflecting the local multi-racial social atmosphere. Singapore's "hawker culture" was successfully listed as a world intangible cultural heritage at the end of 2020.
Hou Youyi said in the pre-departure speech in Taoji that although it is urban diplomacy, everyone should play a more critical role in the Republic of China because of the efforts of New Taipei City. The Republic of China will take off again from New Taipei City.
He pointed out that New Taipei City has long-term close contacts with Singapore, and has long-term cooperation in urban experience exchange and urban governance. There are many similarities between the Republic of China and Singapore, as well as many situations at home and abroad. There are many things worth reflecting on and learning from in the process of exchanges.
Hou You-yi said that the most important thing about this visit is to deepen the relationship, create dialogue and break new ground. Singapore is not a big country but its international financial and diplomatic strength is as highly influential as a big country, and its economic and industrial strength has also built a security fortress, so that the world cannot ignore Singapore's international status. These are places where Taiwan can learn from.
The delegation is expected to fly back to Taiwan in the afternoon of 22 April 2023. (Central News Agency)
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